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FORMULA ONE: SAP to sponsor US Grand Prix at Indianapolis

3 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MONACO- SAP, the worlds largest inter-enterprise software company, has reached a multiyear agreement to become the primary sponsor of the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President and CEO Tony George announced today.

The inaugural SAP United States Grand Prix will take place Sept. 24 on the new 2.606-mile road course at the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is the first Grand Prix in the United States since 1991 and will be the 15th of 17 events on the Formula One schedule this year.

"The rich racing heritage of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is known worldwide, and were happy that SAP is bringing its international reputation of excellence and success to the United States Grand Prix through its title sponsorship," George said. "The Speedway is the world capital of motorsports, and there is no better venue for SAP to choose to achieve its goals."

SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing), based in Walldorf, Germany, employs more than 20,500 people in more than 50 countries. SAP is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol "SAP."

"We are delighted to be the sponsoring partner for the inaugural running of the SAP United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Hasso Plattner, co-CEO, co-chairman and co-founder of SAP AG. "We are particularly proud to see high-performance Formula One racing arrive at the birthplace of motor sport in America. Formula One racing encompasses all the ideals of SAP e-business solutions - speed, precision and results."

All reserved seats for Race Day were sold by early May 2000, just eight months after the Speedway began accepting orders. Race Day capacity for the inaugural SAP United States Grand Prix will exceed 200,000, potentially the largest crowd in Formula One history.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway - the worlds largest spectator sports facility - is the only facility to play host to races in three of the premier motorsports series in the world: Indy Racing Northern Light Series, NASCAR Winston Cup Series and Formula One.

To accommodate Formula One, a massive, multimillion-dollar construction project has been undertaken, with the centerpieces being a new, 153-foot Pagoda control tower and a 2.606-mile road course that incorporates the main straightaway and Turn 1 of the legendary oval track. Other improvements include 36 pitside garages for Formula One teams with 12 elaborate suites atop them and a four-story Media Center with state-of-the-art facilities for worldwide journalists and photographers.

Text provided by Paul Kelly

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.